For many years owners of Four Wheel Drive vehicles have used the extra capabilities to assist others in need. From helping someone get their caravan from a muddy field to providing emergency transport for Ambulance staff during severe weather, 4x4’s owners have volunteered to assist others.
With the formation of local 4x4 Clubs this assistance has, in some cases, taken on a more formal status providing a valuable resource for their local communities.
Across the UK there are in the region of 20, 4x4 or Land Rover Clubs with literally 100’s of members offering this service to their local community. Some of them have been doing so for more than 20 years.
Members of these clubs voluntarily use their vehicles to support the Emergency Services, Council Emergency Planning Departments, Search & Rescue groups and other volunteer organisations in periods of poor weather, emergency or other times of need.
Since 1999 several clubs have formed with the sole purpose of providing a response service to their community. Since then some of these clubs have been in communication with each other sharing valuable information which assisted with the founding of new groups and the development of existing clubs. In 2005 it was suggested that these links were developed into a more formal Association which could assist the development of the Volunteer 4x4 Response concept across the country.
The association will be known as the National 4x4 Response Network (N4X4RN).
Currently a steering committee, consisting of members from existing response groups in England, Scotland and Wales, has been formed to develop this association. It is intended that this Committee along with further representatives including Northern Ireland will form the Management Committee of the association as it develops.
N4X4RN shall be a national focus for groups providing logistical support to statutory and voluntary agencies, by the use of 4x4 vehicles. It is intended that it will define minimum standards in key operational areas and ensure the sharing of information across groups.
Part of the remit will be to establish mutual support across boundaries, not only in emergencies but also for training. This will ensure that the User Services can be assured of a greater level of support and a professional approach when calling upon any of the members even if their operational areas span across county boundaries.
In addition it is hoped to establish liaison with National Statutory bodies to gain recognition and agreement on standards and usage and other national voluntary association to assist in the development of formal Memorandums of Understanding when working together.
Once the groundwork is done and the Network is established for existing groups it is intended to promote the concept in other areas with the ultimate aim of having 4x4 Response capability in every part of the UK.
There is still further development to be done to ensure that N4X4RN is a credible and worthwhile association; of value to its members and their User Services. Work will be progressing throughout the year with a view to the Network being fully operational by the last quarter of 2006.
If you would like to find out more visit
www.4x4response.net there is a forum here where you can ask questions of the Committee, find out about existing groups or, if there isn’t one in your area register your interest so that like minded people can be introduced with a view to starting a group.
